Process of making printing-plates and printing in colors.



WNITED TATES PATENT OFFIQEO JOSEPH ARTH'UB HENRY HATT, OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

PROCESS OF MAKING PRINTING-PLATES AND PRINTING IN COLORS.

No Drawing.

T aZZ tylzom it may concern Be it known that I, JOSEPH ARTHUR IIENRY HATT, a citizen of the United States,

residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Processes of Making Printing-Plates and Printing in Colors, of which the following is a specification. I

The process relates to the art of making multi color prints and making sets of photo mechanical printing plates for printing in colors and more particularly to making such prints and setsof such plates from the same negative.

The invention has as one of its objects making a plurality of plates for colorprinting from a single negative and producing novel and useful prints and printing effects thereby; and as a further object making such plurality of plates from a single continuous tone negative; tovary and regulate at will the position and relation of screen figures to design in. any particular set of plates or between particular plates, Without making. new negatives or using a plurality of negatives; to variously dispose the screen figures for different colors to meet the particular requirements for any desired combination of colors, or particular kind of prints or printing effects; to render the negative and screen figure independent of each other in color printing, and to do this with the use of a single negative in making a set of color plates; to be able to make a variety of screen figures from a single negative, such-"as coarse line, fine line or grain, and .to produce corresponding effects in color prints from a single negative; to vary and arrange the screen figures in color prmtmg to avoid dlsagreeable and martlsti'c effects, such as a moir effect or figure in the prints; to arrange therelativeposition of screen figures at will, for different colors, and for prlmary and secondary colors, and

. otherwise at will to meet particular requirements. or particular effects desired, and a further object of the invention to effect all the foregoing in .an improved and thoroughly artistic and efficacious manner. These and other objects of invention will. in part be obvious and appear hereinafter. Theinvention consists in the novel steps, processes and improvements herein described. The invention will be found applicable in a Wide field, and

Specification of Letters Patent.

in part will more .fully ally, arranged or disposed so: as to cross at Patented Apr. 6, 1915.

Application filed January 14, 1913. Serial No. 742,026.

and are not necessarily restrictive of the field in which the process may be used. Other objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth hereinafter in part, and in part will be apparent to those skilled in the art. i

In carrying out my process, by Way of example, a single continuous tone photographic negative, that is, the usual negative without screen figures as distinguished from negatives made with a screen and having screen figures, is made from a suitable original such as a picture or an object or view, and preferably a dry plate negative.

I make theprinting plates for the various colors, respectively, directly from the photographic or continuous tone negative, referred to hereinbefore, in substantially the manner set forth in my application for patent Serial No. 728,583.

I shall, therefore, in describing the pre ferred manner of carrying out my invention, consider same in connection with making printing plates direct from the photographic continuous tone negative by the use of a suitable screen, as for instance the screen set forth in my application for patent Serial No. 728,583. 1

In making the successive printing plates from such a negative, I rotate or change the position of the screen relatively to the negative for the successive, plates, whereby and the rulings are thus ninety right angles 7 If in making the second de m s apart. printing plate, that 1s,

a plate for another color, or a half tone negative therefor, the ruled screen be swung or substantially rotated through an angle of less than ninety degrees, it will be obvious that' the screen pattern of the second printing plate will be correspondingly displaced o'r differently located in the surface of the design from the screen figures of the first plate. It will also be clear that this may be done With a third plate so that its screen figure in the design will be differently disposed or substantially rotated with respect to the screen figures of eitherthe first or second printing plate, and so on with respect 'to other printing plates.

In practice, however, I find it desirable with certain-classes of work, such as three color work, and certain other classes, to use three dIlfGIODtangles or positions of displacement of the rules or tinted screen, varying from each other substantially equally, that is, by one third of ninety degrees, or thirty degrees apart. However, the invention in its broader aspects is not to be regarded as being so limited. Where more than three colors. are used, tWo or more colors'which harmonious relatlons wlth relrave proper spect to each other may have the same displacement or screen angle, that is, have the screen figures on a printing p'late similarly disposed or positioned in, and relatively to, the design, and this may be trueof other groups of colors,-and where it is found desirable the final design may be built up of any desired number mgs.

For certain classes of work,'1t Wlll be found that certain colors may be printed with the screen or screen figures at an intermediate angle from those just described for what may conveniently be termed the main colors. By way of example, where the screens and resulting screen figures for the principal colors are substantially thirty de greesapart, as already described, certain colors such as a yellow or other very light color, or the plates for said colors, might have their screens and resulting screen figures at an angle substantially midway between those of the main colors. That is, in the example given, substantially fifteen de grees apart from the next adjacent main colors. It will be understood, of course, that the reference to angles and degrees, is not intended to.be.exact but rather is meant in the sense art.

As one feature of my invention, in connection with my process, I contemplate the developing out of portions of the printing plate by the artist to secure the desired color effects. This stepwould correspond to the elimination secured. by the use of a color filter in photo-mechanical work, although in of practical manipulation in this that instance a colpred original is essential.

It also corresponds to the selective work of of superimposed printthe artist in preparing the various stones or plates for the diiferent color printings. By

manipulation in developing, however, the

very nicest gradations in tone value, as well as any desired total eliminations in any part of the plate may be made, as desired by the artist. Thus any desired color effects may be obtained from any original and from a single negative thereof, expeditiously and at exceedingly low cost. In carrying out this feature of my process, the surface of the printing plate is'covered wit coating such as a bichromated colloid or albumin, the negative is placed upon the surface of the plate and the screen is placed upon the negative. 1 preferably use a screen all parts of which are light-transmitting but thediiferent parts varying in their degrees a sensitized of light-transmitting power, having tintings rof dift'erent light transmitting power, and

having the parts between the tintings transparent or'clear. The other plates are made in the same manner excepting that the screen is displaced or rotated, as previously'described, to dispose the screen figures at a different angle. During the developing out of the plate, certain parts may be brought up or held back'or eliminated at the will of the operator or artist by relatively arresting or making the picture. One plate is preferably made, darker or more full in tone value than the other by a relative excess of exposure, and this plate is usually used to print the tint or lighter color. The other plate is made lighter inits tone values by a'relatively minimum amount of exposure and is .usually used for the darker color printing plate. When impressions from thesetwo plates' are superimposed, they produce "-a greater range of tone values than can be produced in oneplate. Opportunity is thus also afforded, for the employment of different lines or colors on the two plates, thus giving work of great beauty and high ar-" tistic. value in a simple and inexpensive manner. g

- Inthe art-of three color-plate making,

where the cross line screen is used for the production of the plates, there is a limit of three angles that can .be used and at the same I time avoid the objectionable moir pattern,

thus making the difference in position of the screen figures in the three plates thirty degrees. By way of explanation of this fea;- ture of the invention, a circle c'omprises 360,

and if'this bedivided by 30" which is .the

smallest angle that can be used successfully with such classes of work, we will have divided the circle into twelve angle points. Now a cross line screen necessarily has four angle points, a point at each end of the two series of lines crossing each other. It will be obvious from this that we have only three different screen positions in the entire circle, at 30 apart, or the smallest angle that can be usedto avoid the moir pattern. There are other instances, however, as in certain classes of four color work, or other numbers of colors, where the yellow or other lightest or lighter colors are placed at a point15 away from the two other colors, that is, substantially midway between them. 'This is done, not because a moire pattern is not produced but because owing to the lightness of the color it is not offensive or easily observed.

With the present system of color work production, in which the cross line screen is employed, it is necessary to make each of the final half-tone negatives required, at a different angle, as regards the position of the cross line screen. For instance, one half tone negative cannot be used to produce two or more prints at two or more different angles. The main reason for this is that the screenfigures and the design are combined into one negative.

lVith my process the negative or positive does not contain a screen figure at all, and

screen is now shifted substantially either consequently the same negative can be placed in any position as regards the screen. This is very useful in making color plates in various ways, as for instance. where one negalive. which may be an ordinary photographic negative, or may be a color negative for one of the component colors of the original, is employed as the basis for making two or more colors, and it is of the greatest value when six or eight or more colors are used in the production of a color job. For instance, by way of illustration and example, the negative or positive of the blue color sensation may be used for a black at one angle; for a gray at the same angle; for a light blue at another angle, and for a dark blue at another angle. 7 v

The red sensation may be used for red at one angle; for pink at another angle; and for brown at another angle.

Inasmuch as color can be successfully divided into-only three color sensation by photography, it is important to be able to use the three color sensation negatives or positives to the fullest possible extent. The results may be enhanced by the use of the dcvelopable dot image process described in my application Ser. No. 728,583. 7

In carryingout one phase of the process of my invention, that is. the making of a duotone tripletone, or quadruple tone, wherein all the various color plates are made from one negative, or positive, a suitable negative or positive is made preferably on a gelatin dry plate. This negative or positive is of the ordinary continuous tone variety.

For the purpose of easy control in the after manipulation, preferably aregister mark (preferably a cross register mark) is cut in two opposite ends of the negative or positive. These register marks may also be photographed on to the negative at the time of ma king the exposure from the original.

metal plate or stone is sensitized in the usual manner for either a positive or a negative. that is with either bichromated glue or bichignnated albumin. The negative or positive is then placed in position at a certain definite angle. (allowing for the proper focal screen distance) on a half tone screen, and temporarily attached thereto so as to prevent movement. This may be done by pasting gum paper at the'edges. The sensitized plate or stone is' then placed in contact with said negative or positive and it is then exposed to a stationary or movable point of light such as an arc.

posure. so that when the plate is developed it will give what may be called a light print, showing full details in the shadows. This plate is to be used to print a black or other strong color.

The negative or positive on the half tone 30 or in either direction and another exposure is made in a second plate. This time the exposure should be excessive so as to produce an image of a full or heavy character; an image showing full details in the high lights or lighter parts of the design or picture. This plate is to be used to print a light color. or tint, and the two plates so used to superpose their impressions over each other on one sheet of paper. would produce a duotone. without any hand work whatever.

A third plate may also be made either darker or lighter than the other two. or intermediate between them, by shifting the negative or positive another 30- 01160".

A fourth plate may be made by making two exposures from the same angle. In fact six plates may be made by duplicating three angles. Seven and eight plates may be made by shifting the screen 15 and using this angle for one or two of the very lightest colors.

Three plates may be made bn a cross line screen. and any number of plates may be made from a grain screen. all from the one negative or positive. and all superposed in printing. and at the same time avoid a moire pattern. p

The use of my developablc dot invention permits a print to be made heavy or light at will.

This first plate, maybe exposed a trifle less than the normal ex-.

In doing multi color work, with my in: vention, three negatives or positives may be made representing respectively" redor magenta, yellow and blue.- 3

It is also possible by the use .of a combination of color filters for one exposure, that is, by exposing through-1one and then another filter to make a useful approximation of the negative of the black values in an original Using either three or four negatives or positives, any number of prints can be made keeping the strong colors at angles 30 apart and using the same negatives for the'lighter colors at duplicate angles of the strong.

colors.-

It will be understood that the foregoing is not restrictive of the invention but is explanatory of the invention and of certain of, its principles, aspects and adaptations.

Other advantages and objects than those specifically enumerated are realized, as will be clear to those skilled in the art, and vari-J ations may be made from' the particular steps described, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing from the principles of the invention, It will, ,of course, be understoodthat the term nega-. tive is intended to apply to a so-called ,posi: tive and to similar instrumentalities for impressing a design'upon a light sensitive surface of a plate.

-What I-.do claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is: 1. The process pf making multi-color prints which comprises taking a single negative and making therefrom a plurality of printing plates each having a screen figure, the screen figures in one of said printing plates being in different positions relatively to its design from the screen figures in another of said printing plates relatively to its design, and printing said plates in different colors 1n superimposition upon an impression receivingmaterial with the designs in register.

2 The process' of making -multi-color prints which comprises taking a single:

photographic negative, making a plurality of printing plates. from said negative by means of an instrumentality for .making grain figures in the printing plate, dispos-- ing the grain figures in. one pr nting-plate in different positions relatively to the design from the grain figures in another of-said printing plates with respect to its design,

andprinting the design from said plurality of plates superimposed in register with each other, said. platesbeingv printed in different colors from each other.

3. The process of making multi colorprints which comprises taking .asingle con- 'tinuous tone negative, making a printing plate therefrom by means of a screen whereby said printing plate will have screen figures thereon, making another printing plate from said negative by means of a screen, but changing the relative'position of the screen and negative to cause thescreen figures in such second plate to be in a different posi figures. on said first-mentioned plate relatively to the design on said firstmentioned contact with each other and with one of them in contact with the sensitized surface .of a printingplate, developing said plate and preparing it for printing, placing said tion relatively to the design from the screen negative and said figured screen in contact with the sensitized surface of another plate,

but changing the position of the screen relatively to the negative in order to change the position of the screen figures relatively to the design-with respect to the positions of the screenfigures in the first-mentioned plate relatively to their designs, developing said plate and preparing it for printing, printing said plates in superimposition with their desi s inregis'ter, saidplates being printed in different colors fromeach other.

5. .The process of making multi-color prints which comprises taking a single photographic or continuous tone negative, placing said negative and a figured screen in contact with each other andwith said negative in contact with the sensitized surface of 'a printing plate, developing said plate and preparing it for printing, placing said negative and said figured screen in contact with the sensitized surface of another plate but changing the position "of the screen relatively to the negative in order to change the position ofthe screen figures relatively to 11 0 the design with respect to the positions ofthe screen; figures in the first-mentioned platerelatively to their designs, developing said plate and preparing it for printing, printing said plates in superimposition with their designs in register, said plates being printedin different colors from each other. 6-. The process of making multi-color prints which comprises taking a single photographic or continuous tone negative and impressing said negative upon the sensitized developed surface of a printing plate by the action of light, developing'said plate and eliminating portions of thedesign dur ing such development, impressing said-negative upon the sensitized develo-pable surface of another printing plate by the actio'n of; light, and printing said plates in superim position with their designs in register, the plates being printed in different colors from each other.

7 The process of making multicolor prints which comprises taking a single photgraphic negative and impressing said negative upon the sensitized developable surface of a printing plate by the action of light, impressing screen figures on the sensitized surface of the plate together with the design from the negative, developing said plate and eliminating portions of the design during such development, impressing said negative upon the sensitized developable surface of another printing plate by the action of light, impressing screen figures on the sensitized surface of said last-mentioned printing plate but in different positions relatively to the design on said plate, and printing said plates in superimposition with their designs in register, the plates, being printed in different colors from each other.

8. The process of producing multi color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing a plurality of said plates, exposing said sensitized plates to light action through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, displacing the screen relatively to the design for each of the plates to vary the relative position of the screen figures with respect to the design in said plates, developing said plates, and printing from said plates in superimposition in various colored inks.

9. The process of producing multi color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same continuous tone negative by'sensitizing a plurality of said plates, exposing said sensitized plates to light action through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, displacing the screen relatively to the design for each of the plates to vary the relative position of the screen figures with respect to the design in said plates, developing said plates, and

printing from said plates in superimposition in various colored inks.

10. The process of producing multi color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing a plurality of said plates, ex-

posing said sensitized plates to light action through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, displacing the screen substantially angularly relatively to the negative in making the successive plates therefrom, developing .said plates. and printing from said,

plates in superimposition in various colored inks.

11. The process oi producing multi color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing a plurality of said plates, ex-

through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, symmetrically displacing the screen substantially angularly. relatively to the negative in making the successive plates therefrom, developing said plates, and

printing from said plates in superimposition in various colored inks.

13. The process of making a set of plates for photo mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to,

the action of light through said negative and a figured screen, displacing the screen relativelyto the negative for the successive plates whereby the screen figure is correspondingly displaced relatively to the design in each of said plates, and developing said plates.

14. The process of making a set of plates for photo-mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same continuous tone negative by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative and a figured screen.

displacing the screen relatively to the nega tive for the successive plates whereby the screen figure is correspondingly displaced relatively to the design in each of said plates, and developing said plates.

- 15. The process of making a set of plates for photo-mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative and a. figured screen, substantially symmetrically. displacing the screen relatively to the negative for the successive plates whereby the screen figure is correspondingly substantially symmetrically displaced relatively to the design in each of said plates. 'and developing said plates.

16. The process of making a set of plates for photo mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same continuous tone negative by sensitizing said plates. exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative and a figured screen, I "substantially symmetrically displacing the screen relatively to the negative for t e successive plates whereby the screen figure is figured screen, substantiallyfangularly disl placing the screen relatively to the negative for the successive plates whereby the screen figure is correspondingly displaced relatively to the design in each of said plates,

and developing said plate s. v

18. The process of making a set of plates for photo inechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing I I plates from the same negative by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative I and a figured screen, substantially angularly and symmetrically displac ng the screen relatively to the negative for the successive plates whereby the screen figure, is correspondingly displaced relatively to the design in each-of said plates, and developing said plates. I g

19. The process of making a set of plates for photo mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same continuous tone negative by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative and a. figured screen, substantially angularly displacing the screen-relatively to the negative for the successive plates whereby lithe screen figure is correspondingly displaced relatively to the design in each of said plates, and developing said plates.

20.- The process of making a set of plates I for photo mechanical color printing which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from'the samecontinuous tone negat1ve by sensitizing said plates, exposing them successively to the action of light through said negative and a figured screen, substantially angularly ,and symmetrically, displacv ing the screen relatively to the negative-for the successive plates whereby the screen figure is correspondinglyidisplaced relatively to the design in each of said plates, and developing said plates.

21. The process of producing multi coloi prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same continuous tone negative by sensitizing a plurality of said plates, exposmg sald sensitized plates to light action through said negative and a --ruled'or tintedscreen, displacing the screen substantially angularly relatively to the negative in making the successive plates there from, developing said plates, and printing from said plates in superimposition in various colored inks.

. 22. The process of producing multi color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from'thesame continuous plates in superimpositionin various colored inks.

23, The process of producing multi color 7 prints which comprises making a plurality oft-printing plates, from the same negative by sensitizing a plurality of said plates, exposing said sensitized'plates to light action through said negative and a ruled or tinted 'scr'een, displacing the screen relatively to the design in the negative for each of the plates substantially angularly and equally for the primary colors, correspondingly varying the relative position of the screen figures with respect to the design in each of saidplates for said primary colors, developing.

said plates, and printing from said lates in superimposition in correspondingl; colored inks. v

1 24. The process pf producing multi col or prints which comprises making a pluralityof printing plates from the same negative by sensitizing a plurality of said" plates, exposing said'sensitized plates to light action' through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, displacing the screen relatiyelyrto the a design in the negative for each of the plates substantially angularly and equally forv the primary colors, displacing said screen fat an angle intermediate to those for two of the primary colors in makingthe plate for a sec ondary color, correspondingly varying the relative position ofthe screen figures with respect to the design in each of said platesfor said primary colors, developing said plates and printing from said plates in su V perimposition inf correspondingly coloredinks.

25. The process of producingmulti color prints which comprises making a plurality of printing plates from the same negative by'v sensitizing a pluralityof said plates, flpos ing said sensitized plates to light action I through said negative and a ruled or tinted screen, displacing the screenrelatively to the design n the negative for each of the plates substantially angularly and equally for the primary colors, displacing said screen at an angle substantially midway between those for two of the primary colors in making' the plate for a secondary color, correspondingly varying the relative position of the screen figures with respect to the desi in each of said plates for said primary co ors, developing said plates, and printing from said plates in superimposition in correspondingly col- 1t ored inks.

In testimony whereof l have signed my name to this specification, in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

JOSEPH ARTHUR HENRY HATT.

Witnesses:

JOHN D. MORGAN, Rosa MENK. 

